Exclusive: Joe Gallagher praises Callum Johnson, aims to build on British title win this summer

Chandler Waller 31/03/2018

Lawrence Lustig

Callum Johnson scored an empathic win over Frank Buglioni to claim the British light heavyweight title to accompany his Commonwealth belt, and giving his analysis to WBN for the new champ is his trainer Joe Gallagher.

Claiming a first round knockout over Buglioni, Johnson is now firmly sitting in the UK spotlight. Gallagher informed WBN he predicted the knockout beforehand.

“I said when the fight was first made it would be a humbling knockout, I thought Callum Johnson has been a giant in the light heavyweight division, he won the Commonwealth title and had a bit of time out, a bit of inactivity but the preparation for this fight was great,” Gallagher exclusively told World Boxing News.

“He had great sparring and we were very confident. We didn’t say much but we knuckled down and Callum had a point to prove, as I said in some of the interviews it was now or never for Callum Johnson.”

Gallagher couldn’t be happier with seeing his newly crowned champion over the moon.

“What everyone sees in the gym, what we all knew, it was up to Callum to go in and show everyone and he did that in some fashion so a huge statement.

“He is absolutely loving the life as a British champion, his phone has gone non-stop, he’s getting good luck messages from people and soap stars and football stars so it’s quite surreal for him.”

Gallagher revisited the time Johnson won the Commonwealth title shortly after the passing of Johnson’s father and now with the adding of the British title he was finally able to celebrate.

“When he won the Commonwealth title, I don’t think he was able to take it in and enjoy it because it was so soon after his father passed away, but this time, he’s been able to enjoy it and really let it sink in.

“I don’t think he’s slept for two or three days, coming into the gym with his belt and him and Hosea Burton having some banter over it and yeah he’s in a really good place.

“The thing is now to get him out again quite soon, we’re seeing how Eddie has done a good job with Frank, get him a couple of defences and how he has with Lewis Ritson.

“I think Callum Johnson is an exciting talent and I’m sure Sky will want to see him soon. The plan is to get him out most probably in June time for a defence of the title,” he added.

Chandler Waller is a staff writer for World Boxing News. Follow Chandler on Twitter@ChandlerWaller